“Living abroad, learning languages, and becoming an immigrant myself taught me something I’ll never forget: every culture has its own pioneers. Some cross oceans. Some cross plains. Some cross borders. Some cross languages. All of them step into the unknown so the next generation can have something better.    “This year I met fellow descendants of Icelandic pioneers at the Icelandic monument. We reflected on the faith and determination of our ancestors, who spent nearly 300 days traveling from Iceland to the Salt Lake Valley in search of a better life. I wore my mom’s Bruce Tartan to honor my Scottish roots and my cowboy boots to honor my dad and the culture of the American West.    “The more I learn about my own heritage, the more I appreciate everyone else’s. Heritage isn’t a fence that separates us—it’s a foundation that helps us understand one another.    “On Ancestor Appreciation Day, I reflect on those who came before me. As I add their names and stories to FamilySearch, I hope t...